Most of Sweden’s wildfires manmade and preventable
Nearly all of Sweden’s wildfires are caused by people and they can be prevented by people, too, an expert tells us.
Although lightning does ignite some of this country’s wildfires, Leif Sandahl, who works with fire prevention at the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, says people are behind the recent outbreak of fires.
He says people should avoid making fires outside or using machinery in the woods that create sparks or becomes very hot.
Sandahl adds that people who see a fire should call 112, Sweden’s emergency number. They should also try to warn others who may be in the path of the blaze or put it out if they are able to do so.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Feds announce funding to tackle climate change in Inuit region of Atlantic Canada, Radio Canada International
Finland: Dry weather sparks wildfires in Western Finland, YLE News
Norway: As Arctic weather dramatically changes, world meteorologists take on more joint forecasting, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Record heatwave in the Arctic, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Freight train wheels start wildfire in central Sweden, Radio Sweden
United States: Warming, fires, warming, fires: How tundra wildfires could create an unstoppable cycle, Alaska Dispatch News
